Petro vindicates the “essential” relationship with China after meeting with Xi Jinping

The President of China, Xi Jinping, received this Wednesday in Beijing his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, who described the relationship between both countries as “essential” after a symbolic ceremony in which a dozen cooperation agreements were signed.

In addition to these agreements, which cover economic, technological, educational, scientific or cultural aspects, Xi has granted Petro to elevate bilateral relations to the level of Strategic Partnership, “a historic fact” in the opinion of the Colombian Presidency, which has released several statements about subsequent meetings.

“Neither mountains nor seas can distance people with common aspirations. The vast Pacific Ocean cannot hinder the deep friendship between the Chinese and Colombian peoples,” emphasized Petro, who appealed during the official dinner to the “diverse and numerous challenges” shared by both nations.

In the field of economic cooperation, the Colombian president has taken advantage of his trip to defend Chinese participation in the construction of the Bogotá metro, marred in recent weeks by suspicions of possible corruption that have called into question the role of the mayor, Claudia López.

For Petro, “it would be foolish” if the Colombian capital were left without its underground transportation network if there is foreign interest in “financing one hundred percent of that project.” In this sense, after meeting with several companies, he highlighted that this external financing could allow Bogotá to allocate resources to social projects.

Likewise, he has clarified that “technically” a line can be developed without “major delays” in two phases – “a first elevated and an underground” – using the studies initially carried out during his time as mayor of Bogotá. “Technically it is possible and legally also; the question is whether politically,” he slipped.

Source: dpa

(Referential image source: Presidency of Colombia, Europa Press / dpa)

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